The Federal Government has cautioned the United States and other members of the diplomatic community against making unguarded utterances concerning domestic matters in Nigeria.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, who gave the warning during an interactive session with the diplomatic community over the shift of the general election said some heads of mission “have continued to behave in an imperial manner and in clear breach of the channel of the diplomatic communication.
“A situation, where a head of mission takes on the role of a government, seeking to impose the views and perspectives of his government and making unguarded utterances on matters that are strictly within the domestic jurisdiction of the host country is totally unacceptable.
“It is only in this country that I have noticed some envoys, who have taken it upon themselves and without recourse to the government to embark on social causes and political advocacy that are totally unrelated to conventional diplomacy and representational duties of ambassadors.
“It is, therefore, unacceptable for envoys to abuse their privileges and immunities by behaving in a manner that would have been met with the opprobrium in their countries were Nigerian ambassadors to behave in like manner.
“Let me be clear on this, the Federal Government will no longer tolerate the excesses of such heads of mission.
“They are, hereby, advised to operate within the norms and etiquette of diplomatic intercourse.”
The minister added that with the support of the international community, the elections will hold as scheduled.
We certainly do not meddle In their affairs so they should allow us practice democracy the best way we can
America stands as the number one agent and perpetrator of evil across the world and she never takes advice from anyone, so she has no rite to dictate to us how we practice our democracy #GEJ4Naija
The International community has no rite whatsoever to tell us how to run our system
We have sustained democracy for about 15 years so I do not think America has played much role in making that possible
People tend to overlook GEJ because of his meekness, if not their useless opinions would have been heard from afar
America should face their country and tackle issues bothering them, instead of attempting to control other people’s governments #GEJ4Naija
This warning is coming at the very right time, Nigeria remains a sovereign state void of external control #GEJ4Naija
I can’t imagine Nigeria even advising the US on how to run its affairs
The International community always snoops around when it feels it would gain benefits, useless people #GEJ4Naija
America’s interest in Nigeria related affairs of late is highly suspicious
The US never comes close if it feels it has nothing to benefit, let them advice us from afar #GEJ4Naija